Aresfamily of two launch vehicles, Ares I and Ares V, being built for the proposed Constellation program, the manned U.S. spaceflight program that was scheduled to succeed the space shuttle program and focus on missions to the Moon and Mars. In June 2006 the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) named the launchers Ares, after the Greek counterpart of the Roman god Mars, in order to symbolize the long-term objective of mounting a mission to the red planet. The Roman numerals assigned to the launchers are were a tribute to the Saturn vehicles of the Apollo program.

A number of lift options were considered for the Constellation program, including the use of existing Delta IV and the Atlas V launchers. However, it was ultimately decided to modify proven space shuttle components—in particular, the space shuttle main engine (SSME), the solid rocket booster (SRB), and the external tank (ET)—in order to create new vehicles.

The two-stage Ares I will launch would have launched the Orion spacecraft with four astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) and the Moon. Its first stage will be was to have been a five-segment SRB based on the shuttle’s four-segment version. An upper stage will be would have been powered by a modernized version of the J-2 hydrogen-burning engine developed for the upper stages of the Saturn launch vehicles. On top of this upper stage will be would have been the Orion spacecraft, which will would have had an escape tower on its apex. These components give gave the 97.8-metre- (321-foot-) tall Ares I its distinctive profile, earning it the nickname “the stick.” The first stage of Ares I will be would have been recoverable (as is the case with the space shuttle’s SRBs), but the upper stage will be would have been expendable. Ares I will be would have been able to deliver a payload of some 25,000 kg (55,000 pounds) to low Earth orbit.

The first and only Ares I test vehicle launched on Oct. 28, 2009. This comprised a surplus shuttle SRB fitted with an inert fifth segment, a nonfunctional upper stage, and a model of Orion outfitted with instrumentation to report on conditions in flight. A second test in 2014 will use would have used a functional upper stage and spacecraft. The first launch with a crew is was initially scheduled for 2015; the spacecraft will visit would have visited the ISS. Lunar missions are were planned to occur by 2020 and missions to Mars as soon as practicable thereafter.

Ares V initially will launch would have launched the Altair lunar lander but later will deliver delivered to low Earth orbit the components of the large vehicle that will fly would have flown to Mars. It will be would have been 110 metres (358 feet) tall and will have had a pair of SRBs similar to that of the Ares I and strapped to a core stage that will consist would have consisted of an enlarged ET with a cluster of six RS-68 engines at its base. These engines were developed for the Delta IV and have had a sea-level thrust of 2,890,000 newtons (650,000 pounds) each. The second stage will be would have been powered by the same engine as the Ares I upper stage. The payload to low Earth orbit will be would have been 130,000 kg (287,000 pounds).

In May 2009 the administration of Pres. Barack Obama administration announced that it would review the Constellation program to determine whether it is would be the best option for U.S. manned spaceflight after the end of the space shuttle program. In October 2009 the review committee announced that, barring a significant increase in NASA’s budget, the schedule for the Constellation program was unrealistic, with the first manned Ares I flight likely occurring between 2017 and 2019. In February 2010 the Obama administration canceled the Constellation program in favour of commercial flights to the ISS and research on lowering the cost of manned spaceflight.